So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. ²⁵Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. ²⁶She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” ²⁹Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. ³⁰Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” ³¹And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” ³²He looked all around to see who had done it. ³³But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. ³⁴He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” ³⁶But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. ³⁸When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” ⁴²And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. ⁴³He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

 

Have you ever been very sick? Even if it doesn't happen very often, most everyone gets sick sooner or later.

There's nothing much worse than being sick - but some illnesses are much better to have than others. Certain things can make you feel awfully bad - and yet if you take the right medicine you can feel much better very quickly. They have a terrific healing power.

This week's gospel story is about a sick girl that Jesus makes well. Just like last week he performs a miracle and heals her from a terrible illness.

Whenever I read a story about Jesus making someone well, I can't help but think about the ways that he sometimes does the same for me.

Now Jesus has never come and actually touched my body when I'm sick the way that he does the girl in the story - but when I'm feeling sad (or sick in my heart) I find that praying and reading the Bible helps to heal me inside. What's more, I find that no matter how sad or grumpy I'm feeling that when I follow Jesus' example and spend some time doing something helpful for others that my mood becomes happier almost right away.

It's a little way that I find that Jesus helps to heal me. Maybe you can try it next time you're having a sad day?

Can we pray?

Dear God,

We thank you for the healing power you bring to our lives.  Help us to stay healthy in body and spirit during the week ahead.

Amen